Profile of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Markers in Asymptomatic Chronic HBV Infection in an Endemic Population

Abstract

Aim/Background: The objective of the study was to determine the profile of viral markers of HBV and HCV among asymptomatic individuals with chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Methods: Seventy one subjects who were chronic HBsAg positive were recruited as cases and thirty three apparently normal individuals who were negative for HBsAg served as controls. Serum anti-HBc (IgM and Total), HBeAg, anti-HBe and HBV-DNA were studied in both cases and controls. HBV DNA where positive were sequenced for genotype determination.
Result: Total anti-HBc was the commonest serological marker of HBV, 59 (83.1%) among cases, but was not significantly different from that of the control group in which it occurred in (69.7%), p=0.12, while HBeAg and anti-HCV were found to be low and similar in prevalence in both groups. Anti-HBe was found in 42.3% of cases and in 27.3% of controls, p=0.14. IgM anti-HBc and HBV-DNA were negative among the control group. IgM anti-HBc was present in 21(29.6) of cases. Among cases, HBV-DNA was present in 9 (%) but in low concentration and were all of genotype E.
Conclusion: In conclusion, asymptomatic HBV infection is associated with low levels of HBeAg, HBVDNA and anti-HCV, but high levels of total anti-HBc among asymptomatic Nigerians. Occult HBV infection appeared uncommon.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus,Viral load, Hepatitis C co-infection